The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) reports that the processing time for Australian spouse visas as of April 2023 varies on a variety of factors.
Furthermore, the processing time it takes to get a spouse visa in Australia in 2023 varies based on the kind of spouse visa you are applying for. According to DHA, the Provisional Visa (Subclass 309) spouse visa processing time is as follows:
- 5% of Applications: 4 Months
- 50% of Applications: 7 Months
- 75% of Applications: 15 Months
- 90% of Applications: 30 Months
Types of Spouse Visa in Australia
A Spouse Visa in Australia is a visa that permits an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or qualified New Zealand citizen to live in Australia with their spouse or de facto partner. Even people in de facto partnerships may be able to apply for an Australian partner visa.
The visa is intended to allow couples to stay together in Australia either temporarily or permanently. As a result, many people find this to be an appealing alternative. The applicant must be in a genuine and continuous relationship with their Australian partner to be considered to apply for a Partner Visa.
Spouse/Partner Visas are of different types, including:
- Spouse/Partner (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 309): This visa permits the applicant and their partner to remain in Australia briefly while the DHA assesses their permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
- Partner (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 100): This visa enables the applicant to reside permanently in Australia with their spouse or partner.
- Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300): This visa permits the applicant to travel to Australia with the purpose of marrying their Australian spouse and then applying for a spouse visa.
- Spouse/Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801): This visa permits the applicant to stay in Australia with their partner temporarily until their Permanent Partner visa (subclass 100 application is processed. The applicant may remain in Australia permanently after the Permanent Partner visa is approved.
Permanent Partner/Spouse Visa (Subclass 100) Processing Time:
The Permanent Partner/Spouse Visa (Subclass 100) is a visa for those who have a real and persistent connection with an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa permits the applicant to reside permanently in Australia with their spouse.
The applicant must have been previously granted a Partner (Provisional) Visa (subclass 309) & be in a serious and continuous relationship with their partner to be eligible to receive a Permanent Partner Visa (subclass 100).
The application process for the Permanent Partner Visa (subclass 100) is very similar to that for the Partner (Provisional) Visa (subclass 309), and applicants must present proof of their relationship with their spouse.
According to DHA, the processing time for this visa as of April 2023 is as follows:
- 25% of applications: 5 Months
- 50% of applications: 12 Months
- 75% of applications: 17 Months
- 90% of applications: 31 Months
Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) Processing Time:
The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) is a temporary spouse visa that permits the applicant to come to Australia and remain for up to nine months in the country. The applicant needs to marry their eligible Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen partner. This visa is intended to allow both individuals to marry and then file for a Partner Visa (subclass 820/801).
Subclass 300, the applicant needs to be engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and they must plan to marry their spouse within the visa’s validity term.
The Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300) application procedure includes submitting documentation of the relationship, such as pictures, joint bank statements, and other papers demonstrating a genuine and continuous connection.
In addition, the applicant must fulfil health and character standards. Furthermore, they must submit proof of their desire to marry their spouse during the visa’s validity period.
The applicant may visit Australia and marry their spouse within the validity term of the Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300). However, they can apply for a Partner Visa (subclass 820/801) when they marry. This permits them to live permanently in Australia with their spouse.
The following is the DHA’s spouse visa processing time for subclass 300:
- 25% of Applications: 5 Months
- 50% of Applications: 9 Months
- 75% of Applications: 19 Months
- 90% of Applications: 35 Months
Processing Times for Subclasses 801 and 820
The processing time for Subclass 801 (Permanent) as of April 2023 is as follows:
- 25% of applications: 6 Months
- 50% of applications: 11 Months
- 75% of applications: 16 Months
- 90% of applications: 25 Months
The processing time for Subclass 820 (Temporary) as of April 2023 is as follows:
- 25% of applications: 6 Months
- 50% of applications: 9 Months
- 75% of applications: 18 Months
- 90% of applications: 37 Months
Conclusion
There are certain factors to consider if you want to apply for an onshore partner visa vs an offshore partner visa. If you have a dependent child, you may want to look at alternative options.
Rapid Education & Visa Consultants is a registered migration agent in Melbourne. Know more about partner visa processing times or any other aspect of migration law, get in touch with us today!
